Senate gives Trump another victory on judges

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed one of President Donald Trump’s legal advisers to serve on what is often described as America’s second highest court.

The vote to confirm Gregory Katsas, 53, of Virginia, was 50-48.

Katsas has worked on some of the president’s most contentious decisions, including his executive orders restricting travel for citizens of predominantly Muslim countries and his decision to end a program protecting some young immigrants from deportation.

Democratic lawmakers argued that they don’t trust Katsas will be truly independent in cases involving the president, but they were relatively powerless to stop his confirmation as only a simple majority is needed to advance a judicial nominee. In the end, Republicans used their majority to prevail with Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana being the only Republican to vote no and Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia being the only Democrat to vote yes.